The gaming industry is gearing up for potential disruptions as SAG-AFTRA, the union representing voice actors and performance artists, has authorized a strike against major video game companies. Dive into the details of this ongoing battle for fair labor practices and the ethical use of artificial intelligence.

SAG-AFTRA Authorizes Strike Against Video Game Companies

SAG-AFTRA's Press Release

On July 20, the SAG-AFTRA National Board convened via video conference and unanimously voted to empower their National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator to call a strike if necessary. This action targets all services covered under the Interactive Media Agreement (IMA), with all SAG-AFTRA members ceasing work on projects under this contract. The primary focus is securing essential AI protections for video game performers.

National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland underscored the union's firm stance, stating, "Our resolve is unwavering and should not be tested. Our membership voted more than 98% yes to authorize a strike of this contract should the employers not come to the table with a deal that includes our critical provisions, especially in AI. We are steadfast in our commitment to our membership who work this contract and whose extraordinary performances are the heart and soul of the world’s most popular video games. Time is running out for the companies to make a deal."

The Issues at Stake and Impact on the Gaming Industry

The key issues driving the potential strike revolve around the currently unregulated use of AI in voice acting and performance capture. Currently, there are no regulations protecting voice and performance actors from AI replication. Many actors prefer compensation for their actual performances over having their likeness captured and replicated by AI. If they consent to such usage, clear guidelines and fair compensation are essential.

SAG-AFTRA members are also pushing for wage increases to match inflation, seeking "11% retroactive to expiration and 4% increases in the second and third years of the agreement." They also demand enhanced safety measures for on-camera and stunt performers, including mandated five-minute rest periods each hour, the presence of medics during hazardous work, protections against vocal stress, and the removal of any requirement for actors to perform stunts during self-taped auditions.

Should the strike go forward, it could impact various facets of video game production, though the exact impact remains uncertain. Unlike TV and film, where strikes can halt production immediately, video game development typically spans several years. While a strike might slow down certain development phases, it's unclear whether it would lead to significant delays in game releases.

Companies Facing Negotiations and Their Stances

The potential strike targets 10 major companies, including:

• Activision Productions Inc.
• Blindlight LLC
• Disney Character Voices Inc.
• Electronic Arts Productions Inc.
• Epic Games, Inc.
• Formosa Interactive LLC
• Insomniac Games Inc.
• Take 2 Productions Inc.
• VoiceWorks Productions Inc.
• WB Games Inc.

Among them, Epic Games has publicly supported SAG-AFTRA’s stance. CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted, "Epic supports the Screen Actors Guild’s view that game companies shouldn’t receive generative AI voice training rights on dialog recording sessions." Other companies have yet to issue statements.

History of the Negotiation

The roots of this conflict trace back to September 2023, when SAG-AFTRA leadership sought member authorization for a strike ahead of contract negotiations. The vote saw overwhelming support, with 98.32% in favor. Since then, negotiations have continued without a new agreement, despite the previous contract expiring in November 2022 and being extended.

This struggle echoes a previous strike in 2016, when SAG-AFTRA members struck against 11 major studios over similar issues, including base pay, health and safety, and residual pay. That strike lasted 340 days and concluded with a compromise, though many union members remained dissatisfied.

In January 2024, SAG-AFTRA faced criticism over a deal with Replica Studios, a third-party AI voice provider. This agreement, allowing SAG-AFTRA members to license their voices to AI, was seen by many as a betrayal, intensifying tensions within the union over AI's role in performance capture.

The authorization of a strike by SAG-AFTRA marks a critical moment in the ongoing fight for fair labor practices in the gaming industry. As negotiations proceed, the industry watches closely, knowing the outcome will have lasting effects on AI use in performance capture and the overall treatment of video game performers. In an era of rapid AI development, protecting individuals and ensuring AI enhances human creativity rather than replacing it is crucial. The stakes are high, and the potential impact of a strike highlights the urgency for a resolution that addresses the union's critical concerns.